Been living in a high-rise apartment for a few years in the W. end of Toronto with a balcony facing E. On most days you have a clear view of Toronto.

Recently went to Radio World and got an AU-14 by Nippon Antenna. The antenna is compact and looks like an arrow. Surprisingly the product is made in Japan and not China as is frequently the case selling around $70. You can get similar ones from other manufacturers with more elements.

Mounted it on the balcony on a tripod facing E slightly to the S facing the lake with no rotation device. Basically got all the Toronto and Buffalo stations including 51 with 4 substations -1 ION, -2 qubo, -3 ION-Life, -4 ShopTV. The 2 stations from Hamilton not picked up is 11 CHCH and 36 Crossroads the religion station. The other Christian station from the US also not picked up is 26 TCT with 4 substations. Personally not too keen on religion.

On most days get about 27 excluding 17-2 PBS and 41-2 Global which is a repeat of -1 in SD which is good-enough. In the evening and cooler days also picks up 8-1 WROC, -2 Bounce & 21-1 WXXI, -2 Think, -3 Create from Rochester.

Recently tried GE Attic Mount Antenna bought from Target both inside and outside. The antenna is flimsy and snaps together like pieces of lego. The reception isn't half as good as the Nippon AU-14 and at times 17 PBS Buffalo signals would drop-off completely for a minute or 2 and then return.

I'm making my first attempt to setup an antenna to get OTA HD channels. I'm in Milton and I've installed a 4-bay Electronic Master antenna (looks like this: ) on the side of my house... which kinda faces somewhere between the CN Tower and the 401. I did my first channel scan and it found 14 channels. Should I expect more?? I haven't installed a preamp - will that help? Should I opt for a better antenna?

Go Higher up, if you can. The Electronic Master antennas like this one that I install come with a small pre amp that you connect in-line right in to the back of your tv. Inside the 'small box' on the antenna where you connect the cable there should be a small white dial. you can adjust the 'gain' or stregnth of the antenna with a small screwdriver. I turn it all the way up. Here in St. Catharines, Niagara I can get you 30 channels with this very same antenna. It's cheap looking but it's the best one I've ever come across. Better than the 8 bay I'm using 35 feet in the air!

Just set up my CM4228 again after several years of gathering dust. Moved and don't have a mast anymore, so I put it in the attic for now, and was pretty impressed with the results. I'm in Amherst NY and pointed at the CN tower, currently pulling in all Buffalo channels (WGRZ, WIVB, and WKBW would be best with a rotor since they are hit or miss pointed at Toronto, but I get them on Fios anyway), as well as CBLT, CICA, CBLFT, CITS, and CIII. CITY and CFMT are showing up but have poor signal. Don't have a preamp at the moment, but thinking of adding one to see if I can get those channels better.

Buy a good and "real" preamp - UHF + VHF - the kind with one piece that installs on your antenna and a box that plugs into AC inside your home. Not only will it help you pick up the south Buffalo channels it will boost your signal strength across the board. Some people may say there's no difference in picture qualify or reception if you have 20% vs 90% signal strength, and they are correct, but just wait until days when the weather is poor or winter for that matter which typically (for some reason) lowers the signal for quite a few south channels.

OrangeGreen, I agree with the post above, especially if you have a cable run of over 50 feet from the balun to your tv or you split your signal. I bought this RCA pre-amp recently to replace a Winegard one that quit on my after about 18 months. It works well and is only a bit over $40 including tax and free shipping.

[Link: amazon.ca]


Maybe, maybe not. I'd agree with "Go Higher up, if you can" first. Do you have any obstacles in the way to the transmitters - buildings? big trees? If you have too much in the way, even the best antenna and/or pre-amp isn't going to help much.

Pre amps work better if you live out in the boon docks, the further away the better. If you live too close to the transmitters you won't recieve to many channels because its too overpowering.

Hi Daniel,

Would you happen to know the difference (quality/reception wise) between and Eagle star 53-6165-V1 antenna. and Antennas Direct DB4e Extended Range Antenna...for HDTV antennas. I live in a house i L5V2K3

Thanks for your help!

Regards,

Daniel, CHCH is testing on RF15 right now. Apparently only using the 500w backup transmitter and reports are signal is traveling all the way up to R. Hill. They will be testing the 5000w transmitter later this week.

Checked for their signal, barely getting it, not strong enough for video at Yonge & Hwy 7, 4 bay pointing Hamilton.

Check it now, apparently they went full power today.

Yes you are right, coming in as strong as chn 36, solid >60% on rf scale

From DHC, CHCH Engineer (not verified account) said "Just received the official word, regular programming will commence on RF15 on Dec 2nd @ 13:00. The channel 11 transmitter will be shut down permanently at that time, ending a long history on 11, having signed on June 7 1954."

Noticed yesterday (and continuing now) that WNED 17-1 (43-1) is missing and that 17-2 (43-2) is carrying the HD content. Rescanned and no change so I presume it's not just me. 17-3/43-3 is still as it was.

It's 17.1 WNED HD & 17.2 Think SD now.